Changes in Perikymata and Their Significance to a Postmortem Dental Identification

• NCJ Number: 128098
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1991) Pages: 166-178
• Author(s): B C Smith
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A case study of victims of a Vietnam War military aircraft crash examines the signficance to postmortem dental identification of changes in perikymata, the wavelike features that are normally found in the surface enamel of teeth.

Abstract

Perikymata patterns are known to regress due to gradual attrition, mechanical abrasion, or chemical erosion; some forms of loss may be indicative of age, oral habits, and individual teeth alignment. The unusual pattern of perikymata in this case study suggests the antemortem presence of a removable partial denture; the findings support the exclusionary conclusion. 9 figures and 11 references (Author abstract modified)